Particulate laundry detergent composition comprising an optical

Abstract

The present invention relates to a particulate laundry detergent composition comprising a first optical whitening agent and a detersive polymer. Also envisaged is a water soluble unit dose article comprising the particulate laundry detergent composition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a granular laundry detergent composition comprising a first optical brightener and a soil release polymer. A water-soluble unit dose article comprising the granular laundry detergent composition is also contemplated. Background Art

[0002] Optical brighteners and soil release polymers are known and have been added to laundry detergent compositions to provide beneficial effects to fabrics. Optical brighteners provide a whiteness benefit to the washed fabric, and soil release polymers help remove soil from the fabric. Together they provide an overall whiteness benefit to the washed fabric.

[0003] However, there is a need to provide an improved whiteness benefit to synthetic fabrics.

[0004] Surprisingly, it has been found that a granular laundry detergent composition comprising a combination of a soil release polymer and a specific optical brightener according to the present invention provides an improved whiteness benefit to synthetic fabrics compared to previously proposed combinations of optical brighteners and soil release polymers. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is a granular laundry detergent composition comprising a first optical brightener and a soil release polymer, wherein the first optical brightener has the following structure:

[0006]

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a granular laundry detergent composition, wherein the water-soluble unit dose article comprises a water-soluble nonwoven sheet, wherein:

[0008] a. The nonwoven sheet is formed to form an internal compartment, and the granular laundry detergent composition is contained in the compartment; or

[0009] b. The nonwoven sheet is oriented into layers that are stacked on top of each other, and the granular laundry detergent composition is positioned between the layers. Detailed Description

[0010] Granular laundry detergent composition

[0011] The present invention relates to a granular laundry detergent composition. The granular laundry detergent composition should be understood as a free-flowing particulate composition. Generally, the granular laundry detergent composition is a full-formulation laundry detergent composition, rather than a part thereof (such as spray-dried, extruded or agglomerated granules that only form a part of the laundry detergent composition). Generally, the granular laundry detergent composition comprises a plurality of chemically different granules, such as spray-dried basic detergent granules and / or agglomerated basic detergent granules and / or extruded basic detergent granules; combining one or more, usually two or more, or five or more, or even ten or more granules selected from: surfactant granules, including surfactant agglomerates, surfactant extrudates, surfactant needles, surfactant platelets, surfactant flakes; phosphate granules; zeolite granules; silicate granules, especially sodium silicate granules; carbonate granules, especially sodium carbonate granules; polymer granules, such as carboxylate polymer granules, cellulose polymer granules, starch granules, polyester granules, polyamine granules, terephthalic acid polymer granules, polyethylene glycol granules; aesthetic granules, such as colored stripes, needles, layered granules and ring granules; enzyme granules, such as protease granules, amylase granules, lipase granules, cellulase granules, mannanase granules, pectate lyase granules, xyloglucanase granules, bleach enzyme granules and co-granules of any one of these enzymes, preferably these enzyme granules contain sodium sulfate; bleach granules, such as percarbonate granules, especially coated percarbonate granules, such as percarbonate coated with carbonate, sulfate, silicate, borosilicate, or any combination thereof, perborate granules, bleach activator granules such as tetraacetylethylenediamine granules and / or alkyloxysulfonate granules, bleach catalyst granules such as transition metal catalyst granules, and / or isoquinolinium bleach catalyst granules, preformed peracid granules, especially coated preformed peracid granules; filler granules, such as sulfate granules and chloride granules; clay granules, such as montmorillonite granules and clay-siloxane granules; flocculant granules, such as polyethylene oxide granules; wax granules, such as wax agglomerates; silicone granules, optical brightener granules; dye transfer inhibitor granules; dye fixative granules; fragrance granules, such as fragrance microcapsules and starch-encapsulated fragrance blend granules, and pre-fragrance granules, such as Schiff base reaction product granules; colorant dye granules; chelating agent granules, such as chelating agent agglomerates; and any combination thereof.

[0012] Suitable laundry detergent compositions may comprise detergent ingredients selected from the following: detersive surfactants such as anionic detersive surfactants, nonionic detersive surfactants, cationic detersive surfactants, zwitterionic detersive surfactants, and amphoteric detersive surfactants; polymers such as carboxylate polymers, soil-release polymers, anti-redeposition polymers, cellulose polymers, and care polymers; bleaches such as hydrogen peroxide sources, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, and preformed peracids; optical bleaches such as zinc sulfonated phthalocyanine and / or aluminum sulfonated phthalocyanine; enzymes such as proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases; zeolite builders; phosphate builders; adjunct builders such as citric acid and citrates; carbonates such as sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate; sulfates such as sodium sulfate; silicates such as sodium silicate; chloride salts such as sodium chloride; chelating agents; optical brighteners; dye transfer inhibitors; dye fixatives; fragrances; silicones; fabric softeners such as clays; flocculants such as polyethylene oxide; defoamers; and any combination thereof.

[0013] Suitable laundry detergent compositions may have low buffering capacity. Such laundry detergent compositions generally have a reserve alkalinity to pH 9.5 of less than 5.0 g NaOH / 100 g. These low-buffered laundry detergent compositions generally contain a low content of carbonate.

[0014] The granular laundry detergent composition comprises a first optical brightener. The first optical brightener has the following structure:

[0015]

[0016] The first optical brightener may be present between 0.01% and 5%, or even between 0.5% and 4%, by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition.

[0017] The granular laundry detergent composition comprises a soil-release polymer. The granular laundry detergent composition comprises a soil-release polymer between 0.1% and 5% by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition. Preferably, the soil-release polymer is a polyester soil-release polymer.

[0018] Polyester soil-release polymers generally have hydrophilic segments to hydrophilize the surface of hydrophobic fibers such as polyester and nylon, and hydrophobic segments to deposit on the hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto until the wash and rinse cycles are complete, thereby serving as an anchor for the hydrophilic segments. This can make stains that appear after treatment with a detergent more easily cleaned in a later washing process. It is also believed that facilitating soil release helps to improve or maintain the wicking properties of the fabric.

[0019] The structure of the polyester detergency polymer can be regulated to be suitable for different detergent or detergent additive products. The detergency polymer can be linear, branched or star-shaped. The detergency polymer can also contain a variety of charged units. Generally, when the detergency polymer is used in combination with a detergent containing an anionic surfactant, a nonionic detergency polymer or an anionic detergency polymer can be particularly preferred to avoid potential negative interactions between the detergency polymer and the anionic surfactant. The detergency polymer can contain a capping moiety, which is particularly effective in controlling the molecular weight of the polymer or changing the physical or surface adsorption properties of the polymer.

[0020] Preferred polyester detergency polymers include terephthalate-derived polyester polymers containing structural unit (I), or structural unit (I) and structural unit (II):

[0021] (I) - [(OCHR 1 -CHR 2 ) a -O-OC-Ar-CO-] d

[0022] (II) - [(OCHR 3 -CHR 4 ) b -O-OC-sAr-CO-] e

[0023] Wherein:

[0024] a, b are from 1 to 200;

[0025] d, e are from 1 to 50;

[0026] Ar is independently selected from 1,4-substituted phenylene and 1,3-substituted phenylene

[0027] sAr is 1,3-substituted phenylene substituted at position 5 with -SO3M; where M is a counterion selected from Na + , Li + , K + , 1 / 2Mg 2 + , 1 / 2Ca 2+ , 1 / 3Al 3+ , ammonium, monoalkylammonium, dialkylammonium, trialkylammonium or tetraalkylammonium, where the alkyl group is C1-C 18 alkyl or C2-C 10 hydroxyalkyl or mixtures thereof;

[0028] R 1 、R 2 、R 3 、R4 independently selected from H or C1-C 18 n-alkyl or iso-alkyl; preferably selected from H or C1 alkyl.

[0029] Optionally, the polymer further comprises one or more end groups (III) derived from polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, preferably selected from the structure (III-a)

[0030] -O-[C2H4-O] c -[C3H6-O] d -[C4H8-O] e -R7 (III-a)

[0031] wherein:

[0032] R7 is a straight-chain or branched C 1-30 alkyl, C2-C 30 alkenyl, or a cycloalkyl group having 5 to 9 carbon atoms, or a C8-C 30 aryl group, or a C6-C 30 arylalkyl group; preferably C 1-4 alkyl, more preferably methyl; and

[0033] c, d and e are numbers independently selected from 0 to 200 based on a molar average, where the sum of c + d + e is 2 to 500,

[0034] wherein the [C2H4-O], [C3H6-O] and [C4H8-O] groups of the end group (IV-a) can be block, alternating, periodic and / or statistical arrangements, preferably block and / or statistical arrangements, and any one of the [C2H4-O], [C3H6-O] and [C4H8-O] groups of the end group (IV-a) can be connected to -R7 and / or -O. Preferably, the [C3H6-O] group is connected to -O, and -O is further connected to -OC-Ar-CO- or -OC-sAr-CO-.

[0035] Optionally, the polymer comprises one or more anionic end units (IV) and / or (V). Wherein M is a counterion selected from Na + 、Li + 、K + 、1 / 2Mg 2+ 、1 / 2Ca 2+ 、1 / 3Al 3+ 、ammonium, monoalkylammonium, dialkylammonium, trialkylammonium or tetraalkylammonium, where the alkyl group is C1-C 18 alkyl or C2-C 10 hydroxyalkyl or mixtures thereof.

[0036] -O-CH2CH2-SO3M(IV)

[0037]

[0038] Optionally, the polymer may comprise crosslinked polyfunctional structural units having at least three functional groups capable of undergoing esterification reactions. The functional groups may be, for example, acid-, alcohol-, ester-, anhydride- or epoxy groups, etc.

[0039] Optionally, other dicarboxylic acids or polycarboxylic acids or their salts or their (di)alkyl esters may be used in the polyesters of the present invention, such as naphthalene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, trimellitic acid, diphenoxyethane-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid, diphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, decane-1,10-dicarboxylic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, cyclohexanediacetic acid, glutaric acid, azelaic acid or their salts or their (di)alkyl esters, preferably their (C1-C4)-(di)alkyl esters, more preferably their (di)methyl esters or mixtures thereof.

[0040] A preferred class of polyester detergent polymers are nonionic polyester detergent polymers that do not contain the above structural unit (II). A particularly preferred nonionic polyester detergent polymer has a structure according to the following formula:

[0041]

[0042] Wherein:

[0043] R5 and R6 are independently selected from H or CH3. More preferably, one of R5 and R6 is H and the other is CH3.

[0044] c and d are numbers independently selected from 0 to 200 based on the molar average, where the sum of c + d is from 2 to 400.

[0045] More preferably, d is from 0 to 50 and c is from 1 to 200,

[0046] More preferably, d is from 1 to 10 and c is from 5 to 150,

[0047] R7 is a C1-C4 alkyl group, more preferably a methyl group,

[0048] n is from 1 to 50 based on the molar average.

[0049] In a most preferred example of the above suitable terephthalate-derived nonionic detergent polymer, one of R5 and R6 is H and the other is CH3; d is 0; c is from 5 to 100, and R7 is a methyl group, and n is from 3 to 10.

[0050] Another preferred class of polyester detergency polymers are anionic polyester detergency polymers, which comprise the above structural unit (I) and structural unit (II). Preferably, the anionic detergency polymer further comprises at least one end group selected from (III-a), (IV) and (V). More preferably, the anionic detergency polymer comprises structures (I) and (II) and one or two end groups (III-a), wherein R 7 is a C1 alkyl group, c is from 2 to 100, preferably from 3 to 50, such as 5, 10, 15, 20.

[0051] The polyester detergency polymer can be available or converted into different forms, including powders, granules, liquids, waxes or premixes. In some embodiments, other materials (e.g., water, alcohols, other solvents, salts, surfactants, etc.) are required to convert the polyester detergency polymer into the above different forms, and the wt% of the active detergency polymer in the powder, granule, liquid, wax or premix ranges from 10% to 100%, such as 15%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 100%. When the detergency polymer is in the form of a liquid or a premix, the premix can be transparent or opaque, white or slightly yellow. The opaque premix can be used to provide an opaque appearance to the final product or a part of the final product.

[0052] The polyester may or may not be biodegradable, and the preferred detergency polymer is readily biodegradable.

[0053] Examples of suitable detergency polymers include those supplied by Clariant series, including nonionic detergency polymers SRN 100, SRN 170, SRN 170 C, SRN 170Terra, SRN 172, SRN 240, SRN 260, SRN 260 life, SRN 260 SG Terra, SRN UL50, SRN 300, SRN 325; and anionic detergency polymers SRA 100, SRA 300, SRA300 F. Examples of suitable detergency polymers also include those supplied by Rhodia / Solvay series of polymers, including nonionic detergency polymers Crystal, Crystal PLUS, Crystal NAT, SRP6; and anionic detergency polymers SF-2. Other examples of commercial detergency polymers also include those supplied by WeylChem Series of detergency polymers, including nonionic detergency polymers PLN1, PLN2; and anionic detergency polymers PSA1. Other examples of commercial detergency polymers are polymers such as those supplied by Sasol SL, HSCB, L235M B and G82. Other suitable commercial detergency polymers include Sorez 100 (obtained from ISP or Ashland).

[0054] The raw materials for preparing the polyesters of the present invention can be based on fossil carbon or renewable carbon. Renewable carbon includes carbon derived from biomass, carbon capture, or chemical recycling. Preferably, the raw materials for preparing the polyesters of the present invention are at least partially based on renewable carbon. The renewable carbon index (RCI, a measure of sustainability by dividing the number of carbons from renewable sources by the total number of carbons in the active ingredient) of the polyesters of the present invention is preferably higher than 40%, more preferably higher than 50%, even more preferably higher than 60%, particularly preferably 70% to 100% (including 100%), and most preferably 100%.

[0055] The granular laundry detergent composition may contain a second optical brightener. The second optical brightener can be selected from brighteners having the following structures:

[0056]

[0057] or mixtures thereof.

[0058] The weight ratio of the second optical brightener to the first optical brightener can be 3:1 to 8:1.

[0059] The second optical brightener can be present between 0.1% and 5%, or even between 0.5% and 4% by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition.

[0060] The granular laundry detergent composition may contain a surfactant. The surfactant can be selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, or mixtures thereof.

[0061] The anionic surfactant may include linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfates, or mixtures thereof. The granular laundry detergent composition contains a nonionic surfactant between 5% and 60% by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition. Suitable anionic surfactants include sulfonate detergency surfactants and sulfate detergency surfactants.

[0062] Suitable sulfonate detergency surfactants include methyl sulfonate, α-olefin sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, especially alkylbenzene sulfonates, preferably C10-13 Alkylbenzene sulfonates. Suitable alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) are available, preferably obtained by sulfonating commercially available linear alkylbenzenes (LAB); suitable LAB include lower 2-phenyl LAB, and other suitable LAB include higher 2-phenyl LAB, such as those supplied under the trade name Those supplied by Sasol.

[0063] Suitable sulfate detergent surfactants include alkyl sulfates, preferably C 8-18 alkyl sulfates, or predominantly C 12 alkyl sulfates.

[0064] Preferred sulfate detergent surfactants are alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, preferably alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, preferably C 8-18 alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, preferably C 8-18 alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, preferably alkyl alkoxylated sulfates having an average degree of alkoxylation of from 0.5 to 20, preferably from 0.5 to 10, preferably alkyl alkoxylated sulfates being C 8-18 alkyl ethoxylated sulfates having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 10, preferably from 0.5 to 5, more preferably from 0.5 to 3, and most preferably from 0.5 to 1.5.

[0065] The alkyl sulfates, alkyl alkoxylated sulfates and alkylbenzene sulfonates can be straight-chain or branched-chain, substituted or unsubstituted, and can be derived from petrochemical materials or biological materials.

[0066] Other suitable anionic detergent surfactants include alkyl ether carboxylates.

[0067] Suitable anionic detergent surfactants can be in the form of salts, and suitable counterions include sodium, calcium, magnesium, amino alcohols, and any combination thereof. The preferred counterion is sodium.

[0068] The nonionic surfactant can be a fatty alcohol ethoxylate, preferably, wherein the granular laundry detergent composition comprises from 0.1% to 40% by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition of fatty alcohol ethoxylate. The nonionic surfactant can be a nonionic detergent surfactant. Suitable nonionic detergent surfactants are selected from: C8-C 18 alkyl ethoxylates, such as those from Shell nonionic surfactants; C6-C 12 alkylphenol alkoxylates, wherein preferably the alkoxylate units are ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units, or mixtures thereof; C 12 -C 18 alcohols and C6-C 12Condensates of alkylphenols with ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block polymers, such as those available from BASF Alkyl polysaccharides, preferably alkyl polyglycosides; methyl ester ethoxylates; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; ether-capped poly(alkoxylated) alcohol surfactants; and mixtures thereof.

[0069] Suitable nonionic detergent surfactants are alkyl polyglucosides and / or alkyl alkoxylated alcohols.

[0070] Suitable nonionic detergent surfactants include alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, preferably C 8-18 Alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, preferably C 8-18 Alkyl ethoxylated alcohols, preferably alkyl alkoxylated alcohols having an average degree of alkoxylation of 1 to 50, preferably 1 to 30, or 1 to 20, or 1 to 10, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol being C 8-18 Alkyl ethoxylated alcohols having an average degree of ethoxylation of 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 7, more preferably 1 to 5, and most preferably 3 to 7. The alkyl alkoxylated alcohols can be straight-chain or branched, and substituted or unsubstituted.

[0071] Suitable nonionic detergent surfactants include secondary alcohol-based detergent surfactants.

[0072] The granular laundry detergent composition may contain a color-toning dye. The color-toning dye can be selected from Direct Violet 9, Direct Violet 66, Direct Violet 99, Acid Violet 50, Solvent Violet 13, or combinations thereof. The granular laundry detergent composition contains a color-toning dye between 0.1% and 10% by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition.

[0073] The color-toning dye can have the following structure:

[0074]

[0075] Wherein: R1 and R2 are independently selected from: H; alkyl; alkoxy; alkyleneoxy; alkyl-capped alkyleneoxy; urea; and amido; R3 is a substituted aryl group; X is a substituent comprising a sulfonamide moiety and optionally an alkyl and / or aryl moiety, and wherein said substituent comprises at least one alkyleneoxy chain, said at least one alkyleneoxy chain comprising at least four alkyleneoxy moieties in an average molar distribution.

[0076] The color-toning dye can have the following structure:

[0077]

[0078] Where the index values x and y are independently selected from 1 to 10.

[0079] The first optical brightener and the second optical brightener may be located in the same particle or in separate particles.

[0080] The granular laundry detergent composition may comprise spray-dried particles, agglomerates, extrudates, flakes, or mixtures thereof.

[0081] Typically, suitable spray-drying methods include the steps of forming an aqueous slurry mixture, transferring the aqueous slurry mixture to a pressure nozzle by at least one pump, preferably two pumps. Atomizing the aqueous slurry mixture into a spray-drying tower and drying the aqueous slurry mixture to form spray-dried particles. Preferably, the spray-drying tower is a countercurrent spray-drying tower, although a co-current spray-drying tower may also be suitable.

[0082] Typically, the spray-dried powder is subjected to cooling, such as air stripping. Typically, the spray-dried powder is subjected to particle size classification, such as screening, to obtain a desired particle size distribution. Preferably, the spray-dried powder has a particle size distribution such that the weight average particle size is in the range of 300 microns to 500 microns, and less than 10% by weight of the spray-dried particles have a particle size greater than 2360 microns.

[0083] It may be preferred to heat the aqueous slurry mixture to raise the temperature before atomizing into the spray-drying tower.

[0084] For anionic surfactants, such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, it may be preferred to be introduced into the spray-drying process after the step of forming the aqueous slurry mixture: for example, after pumping, the acid precursor is introduced into the aqueous slurry mixture.

[0085] For gases, such as air, it may be preferred to be introduced into the spray-drying process after the step of forming the aqueous slurry.

[0086] For any inorganic components, such as sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate, it may be preferred to be micronized to a small particle size if present in the aqueous slurry mixture.

[0087] Typically, suitable agglomeration methods include the step of contacting in a mixer a detergent component, such as a detergent surfactant, for example linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and / or alkyl alkoxylated sulfate with an inorganic material, such as sodium carbonate and / or silica. The agglomeration method may also be an in-situ neutralization agglomeration method, wherein an acid precursor of the detergent surfactant such as LAS is contacted with a basic material, such as a carbonate and / or sodium hydroxide in a mixer, and wherein the acid precursor of the detergent surfactant is neutralized by the basic material during the agglomeration method to form the detergent surfactant.

[0088] Other suitable detergent components that can be agglomerated include polymers, chelating agents, bleach activators, siloxanes, and any combination thereof.

[0089] The agglomeration method can be a high, medium, or low shear agglomeration method, in which a high shear, medium shear, or low shear mixer is used accordingly. The agglomeration method can be a multi-step agglomeration method, in which two or more mixers are used, such as a combination of a high shear mixer and a medium or low shear mixer. The agglomeration method can be a continuous method or a batch method.

[0090] It can be preferred for the agglomerates to be subjected to a drying step, for example, a fluidized bed drying step. It can also be preferred for the agglomerates to be subjected to a cooling step, for example, a fluidized bed cooling step.

[0091] Generally, the agglomerates are subjected to particle size classification, such as fluidized bed elutriation and / or screening, to obtain a desired particle size distribution. Preferably, the agglomerates have a particle size distribution such that the weight average particle size is in the range of 300 microns to 800 microns, and less than 10% by weight of the agglomerates have a particle size less than 150 microns, and less than 10% by weight of the agglomerates have a particle size greater than 1200 microns.

[0092] It can be preferred for the fine and oversized agglomerates to be recycled back into the agglomeration method. Generally, the oversized particles are subjected to a comminution step, such as grinding, and recycled back to an appropriate position in the agglomeration method, such as a mixer. Generally, the fines are recycled back to an appropriate position in the agglomeration method, such as a mixer.

[0093] For ingredients such as polymers and / or nonionic detergent surfactants and / or fragrances, it can be preferred to spray them onto the substrate detergent particles, such as spray-dried substrate detergent particles and / or agglomerated substrate detergent particles. Generally, this spraying step is carried out in a tumbling drum mixer.

[0094] The particulate laundry detergent composition can be contained within a package, where the package comprises a cellulose-containing material, plastic, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the package comprises at least 50% recycled material by weight of the package. Preferably, the cellulose-containing material includes cardboard, corrugated cardboard, paperboard, or a mixture thereof.

[0095] Method for washing fabrics

[0096] A method for washing fabrics includes the steps of contacting a solid composition with water to form a washing liquid, and washing the fabrics in the washing liquid. Generally, the washing liquid has a temperature higher than 0 °C to 90 °C, or to 60 °C, or to 40 °C, or to 30 °C, or to 20 °C. Before, after or simultaneously with contacting the solid composition with water, the fabrics may be contacted with water. Generally, the washing liquid is formed by contacting a laundry detergent composition with water in such an amount that the concentration of the laundry detergent composition in the washing liquid is from 0.2 g / l to 20 g / l, or from 0.5 g / l to 10 g / l, or to 5.0 g / l. The method for washing fabrics can be carried out in a front-loading automatic washing machine, a top-loading automatic washing machine, including a high-efficiency automatic washing machine, or a suitable hand-washing container. Generally, the washing liquid contains 90 liters or less, or 60 liters or less, or 15 liters or less, or 10 liters or less of water. Generally, 200 g or less, or 150 g or less, or 100 g or less, or 50 g or less of the laundry detergent composition is contacted with water to form the washing liquid.

[0097] Water-soluble unit-dose product

[0098] Another aspect of the present invention is a water-soluble unit dose article that contains a particulate laundry detergent composition. The water-soluble unit dose article contains a water-soluble nonwoven sheet, wherein:

[0099] a. The nonwoven sheet is formed to form an internal compartment, and the particulate laundry detergent composition is accommodated in the compartment;

[0100] Or

[0101] b. The nonwoven sheet is oriented into layers that are stacked on top of each other, and the particulate laundry detergent composition is positioned between the layers.

[0102] The water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet contains a plurality of fibers. Preferably, the fibers are entangled fibers in the form of a fibrous structure.

[0103] The water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet can be uniform or can be layered. If it is layered, the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet can include at least two and / or at least three and / or at least four and / or at least five layers.

[0104] Preferably, the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet has a basis weight between 20 gsm and 60 gsm, preferably between 20 gsm and 55 gsm, more preferably between 25 gsm and 50 gsm, and most preferably between 25 gsm and 45 gsm. Those skilled in the art will know the method for measuring the basis weight.

[0105] As used herein, "fiber" refers to an elongated element having a length that exceeds its average diameter, preferably a length-to-average diameter ratio of at least about 10.

[0106] Preferably, each fiber may have a length greater than or equal to 5.08 cm, greater than or equal to 7.62 cm, greater than or equal to 10.16 cm, greater than or equal to 15.24 cm, or a combination thereof.

[0107] Alternatively, each fiber may have a length less than 5.08 cm, less than 3.81 cm, less than 2.54 cm, or a combination thereof.

[0108] Each fiber may have a width less than 100 μm, less than 75 μm, less than 50 μm, less than 25 μm, less than 10 μm, less than 5 μm, less than 1 μm, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will know the standard methods and techniques for measuring width. Preferred methods include scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or optical microscopy and image analysis software.

[0109] The water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet may comprise a plurality of fibers that are the same or substantially the same in compositional angle. Alternatively, the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet may comprise two or more different fibers according to the present invention. Non-limiting examples of fiber differences can be physical differences such as differences in diameter, length, texture, shape, hardness, elasticity, etc.; chemical differences such as crosslinking level, solubility, melting point, Tg, active agent.

[0110] Preferably, there are fibers present between 80% and 95% by weight of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet, preferably between 85% and 93% by weight, more preferably between 87% and 90% by weight.

[0111] The water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet may exhibit different regions, such as regions of different basis weights, densities, and / or thicknesses. The water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet may comprise a texture on one or more of its surfaces. The surface of the water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet may comprise a pattern, such as a non-random repeating pattern.

[0112] The water-soluble fiber nonwoven sheet may have a thickness between 0.01 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 0.05 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between 0.1 mm and 20 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 10 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, and most preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. Those skilled in the art will know the standard methods for measuring thickness.

[0113] The fibers may comprise a polyvinyl alcohol polymer. Preferably, the fibers comprise from 50% to 98% by weight of the fibers, preferably from 65% to 97% by weight of the fibers, more preferably from 80% to 96% by weight of the fibers, and even more preferably from 88% to 96% by weight of the polyvinyl alcohol.

[0114] The polyvinyl alcohol polymer may have a weight average molecular weight between 50 kDa and 150 kDa, preferably between 75 kDa and 140 kDa, more preferably between 100 kDa and 130 kDa. As used herein, "weight average molecular weight" means the weight average molecular weight determined using gel permeation chromatography according to the protocol set forth in Colloids and Surfaces A. Physico Chemical & Engineering Aspects, Volume 162, 2000, pages 107 - 121. Those skilled in the art will know other known techniques for determining the weight average molecular weight (MW).

[0115] Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer has an average degree of hydrolysis percentage of from 75% to 100%, preferably from 80% to 95%, and most preferably from 85% to 90%. Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer has an average viscosity of from 1 mPas to 30 mPas, preferably from 5 mPas to 25 mPas, and most preferably from 10 mPas to 20 mPas, where the viscosity is measured in a 4% aqueous solution in demineralized water at 20°C.

[0116] The fibers preferably comprise a breaker in an amount of from 0.1% to 15% by weight of the fibers, where the breaker is selected from polyols, sugar alcohols, amines, amides, carbohydrates, polyvalent cations, or mixtures thereof, preferably selected from polyols, sugar alcohols, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fibers comprise a breaker in an amount of from 1% to 12% by weight of the fibers, preferably from 2% to 10% by weight of the fibers.

[0117] The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to represent the recited value and a range functionally equivalent around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to represent "about 40 mm".

[0118] Each document cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patent or patent application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or its beneficial effects, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any one or more other references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, when any meaning or definition of a term in this invention conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this invention shall govern.

[0119] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention be covered by the appended claims.

[0120] Examples

[0121] The following experiments were conducted:

[0122] 1) Preparation of test compositions

[0123] Granular detergents having the following composition were used as the base detergent, and the formulation did not contain optical brighteners. The components and contents in the formulation are as follows:

[0124] Formulation ％ Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate 8.67 HG650 0.52 Sodium silicate 5.33 Sodium carbonate 12.13 HEDP 0.26 Sodium sulfate 41.87 Zeolite 1.34 Defoamer (GD6) 0.32 MGDA 0.51 Sodium percarbonate 7 Carboxymethyl cellulose 0.18 Tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) 1.65 Enzymes (protease / mannanase / lipase / amylase) 1.00 Alcohol ethoxylate (7EO) 0.98 Sodium chloride Balance

[0125] Nine separate washing solutions were prepared using water having a hardness of 7 US grains per gallon, and each washing cycle contained 5 g / L of the above formulation.

[0126] The following table shows the amounts (expressed as ppm active substance) of different optical brighteners and detergency polymers added to each washing solution to evaluate the fabric whiteness performance of each sample:

[0127]

[0128] Optical brightener and detergency polymer structure :

[0129]

[0130] 2) Test fabrics

[0131] Whiteness tracer

[0132] 5×5 cm polyester fabric samples (supplied by Centre for Test Materials (Vlaardingen, Netherlands)). Four replicate samples were used for each test formulation. Applied a consumer-related fabric history.

[0133] Ballast

[0134] 5×5 cm knitted cotton ballast (supplied by Warwick Equest (Consett, United Kingdom)) to obtain a total load weight of 60 g. Applied a consumer-related fabric history.

[0135] Soil

[0136] 5×5 cm SBL2004 soil samples (supplied by Centre for Test Materials (Vlaardingen, Netherlands)). Twenty-one samples were used for each test formulation.

[0137] 3) Test washing program

[0138] 1. The method involves using an oscillatory launderometer to simulate the action in a washing machine.

[0139] 2. The test formulation was used to wash the white tracer fabric together with the knitted cotton ballast, adding the test formulation to maintain a water:fabric ratio of 17:1.

[0140] 3. The oscillatory launderometer tank containing the test solution (1.0 L) plus the test fabric was stirred at 250 rpm for 30 minutes at 35 °C. After washing, the test fabric and ballast were then rinsed twice in fresh water (7.0 US gpg hardness at 15 °C) for 5 minutes.

[0141] 4. The washing process was repeated using the multi-cycle test fabric from the first wash cycle for an additional three wash cycles.

[0142] 5. Then the tracer replicate samples were removed and dried at ambient room temperature for >12 hours. The whiteness level of the test fabric was measured by a spectrophotometer (D65 lamp) to show the whiteness performance of each example.

[0143] 4) Comparison of samples

[0144] The whiteness performance of the examples in Table 1 has been evaluated according to the whiteness method shown above. Example D did not show a beneficial WCIE effect relative to Example A, and Example C only showed a +1.5 WCIE beneficial effect relative to Example A. Therefore, a significant synergistic effect was shown when fluorescent brightener 185 was combined with SRA300 (Example G), as there was a +7.1 increase in WCIE relative to the reference formulation product (Example A). This beneficial effect was greater than the cumulative beneficial effects of the individual technologies in Examples C and D.

[0145] Table 1 - Whiteness performance of fluorescent brightener 185 and SRA300

[0146]

[0147] The whiteness performance of the examples in Table 2 has been evaluated according to the whiteness method shown above. Example E did not show a beneficial WCIE effect relative to Example A, and Example C only showed a +1.5 WCIE beneficial effect relative to Example A. Therefore, a significant synergistic effect was shown when fluorescent brightener 185 was combined with Repelotex (Example I), as there was a +2.9 increase in WCIE relative to the reference formulation product (Example A). This beneficial effect was greater than the cumulative beneficial effects of the individual technologies in Examples C and E.

[0148] Table 2 - O Whiteness performance of fluorescent brightener 185 and Repelotex

[0149]

[0150] When fluorescent brightener 260 and C.I. fluorescent brightener 351 were combined with SRA300 (Example F) or with Repelotex SRP6 (Example H), no beneficial WCIE effect was observed, and thus it could be inferred that there was no synergistic effect.

Claims

1. A granular laundry detergent composition comprising a first optical brightener and a soil release polymer, Wherein the first optical brightener has the following structure:

2. A granular laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the soil release polymer is a polyester soil release polymer, preferably a terephthalate derived polyester soil release polymer, more preferably a terephthalate derived polyester soil release polymer comprising structural unit (I), or a combination of structural unit (I) and structural unit (II): (I)-[(SIDE 1 -CHR 2 ) a -O-OC-On-CO-] d (II)-[(SIDE 3 -CHR 4 ) b -O-OC-sAr-CO-] e in: a, b are 1 to 200; d, e are 1 to 50; Ar is independently selected from 1,4-substituted phenylene and 1,3-substituted phenylene. sAr is a 1,3-substituted phenylene substituted at position 5 by -SO3M; wherein M is selected from Na + , Li + , K + 、1 / 2Mg 2+ 、1 / 2Ca 2+ 、1 / 3Al 3+ , ammonium, monoalkylammonium, dialkylammonium, trialkylammonium or tetraalkylammonium counterions, wherein the alkyl group is C1-C 18 Alkyl or C2-C 10 Hydroxyalkyl or mixtures thereof; R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 Independently selected from H or C1-C 18 n-Alkyl or isoalkyl; preferably selected from H or C1 alkyl.

3. A granular laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the granular laundry detergent composition comprises between 0.1% and 5% by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition of the soil release polymer.

4. A granular laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim comprising a second optical brightener, wherein the second optical brightener is preferably selected from brighteners having the following structure: or a mixture thereof.

5. A granular laundry detergent composition according to claim 4, wherein the weight ratio of the second optical brightener to the first optical brightener is from 3:1 to 8:

1.

6. A granular laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim wherein the first optical brightener is present at between 0.01% and 5%, or even between 0.5% and 4%, by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition.

7. A granular laundry detergent composition according to claims 4 to 6 wherein the second optical brightener is present at between 0.1% and 5%, or even between 0.5% and 4%, by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition.

8. A granular laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the granular laundry detergent composition comprises a surfactant, wherein the surfactant is selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants or mixtures thereof.

9. A granular laundry detergent composition according to claim 8, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, ethoxylated alkyl sulfate, alkyl sulfate or mixtures thereof, preferably wherein the granular laundry detergent composition comprises between 5% and 60% of the anionic surfactant by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition.

10. A granular laundry detergent composition according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the nonionic surfactant is a fatty alcohol ethoxylate, preferably wherein the granular laundry detergent composition comprises between 0.1% and 40% of the fatty alcohol ethoxylate by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition.

11. A granular laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim comprising a hueing dye.

12. A granular laundry detergent composition according to claim 11 comprising between 0.1% and 10% by weight of the granular laundry detergent composition of the hueing dye.

13. A granular laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the granular laundry detergent composition comprises spray-dried granules, agglomerates, extrudates, flakes or mixtures thereof.

14. A granular laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the first optical brightener and the second optical brightener are located in the same granule or in separate granules.

15. A granular laundry detergent composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the granular laundry detergent is contained in a package, wherein the package comprises a cellulose containing material, a plastic or a mixture thereof, preferably wherein the package comprises at least 50% recycled material by weight of the package.

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